Vicente Padilla, just announced as the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, gets a tuneup start on Friday at 1:05 PT against the Royals at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Padilla has pitched well this spring, despite revealing on Thursday that he has dealt with some forearm stiffness, as he did last spring with Texas. Jeff Weaver, who will probably retain his job from last year as swing man, is also scheduled to pitch.

I like Monday a lot (the former Dodger and broadcaster, not the day after Sunday). But put him - or anyone - with Steiner, and they sound like those 9-year-olds on the junior Dodger broadcast on Sunday night home games.

Bull Durham was the kind of pitcher that makes me believe I still have a shot... 29 IP over 9 games (2 starts) in a 4 year career in his early 30s - 6 K, 12 BB, 5.28 ERA, 2-0 record. He also had 1 career hit, a single. I wish there were radar guns back in the 19-aughts so I could compare his arm to mine.